AthlonSports.com - Javon Ringerhttp://athlonsports.com/category/nfl-players/javon-ringer
enFantasy Football: Chris Johnson is backhttp://athlonsports.com/columns/5-burning-questions/fantasy-football-chris-johnson-back
<div class="field field-name-field-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Hamstrings and hands will keep him a top pick</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-column field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/columns/5-burning-questions">5 Burning Questions</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-landing-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p>
What is it with these AFC South running backs?</p>
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Is there one we can trust this year?</p>
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Tennessee's Chris Johnson ended his holdout <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://stats.athlonsports.com/multisport/story.asp?i=20110901133651255551508" target="_blank">by signing an extension</a> with the Titans on Thursday.</p>
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Houston's Arian Foster is giving fantasy footballers everywhere heart palpitations after his Tweeting of an MRI of his right hamstring.</p>
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Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew, easily in the conversation with Johnson and Adrian Peterson last year for which back to draft No. 1 overall, is pouting on the satellite airwaves of his own SiriusXM show that he doesn't understand why he has fallen so far on draft boards after issues with his knee all last season. It's because we haven't seen you all preseason, MJD. Hopefully that will change tonight in the final preseason game.</p>
<p>
And then there are the Indianapolis Colts. What to do with this backfield? Do they even run enough for us to care as fantasy players? Can Joseph Addai stay healthy? Will Donald Brown ever live up to his first-round selection. Is Javarris James or rookie Delone Carter going to be the goal line back. Where does former Virginia Tech stud Darren Evans fit into the mix?</p>
<p>
But back to the Johnson signing. It puts him squarely back into the conversation as one of the top four backs to select in your fantasy football drafts. Or does it?</p>
<p>
I still have Foster pegged as No. 1 until we hear anything worse on his hamstring. If it's a tear, I drop him to 14th.</p>
<p>
We still have Adrian Peterson ranked No. 2 because, well, because he's Adrian Peterson and he seems to get it done no matter how bad the Vikings are. If he does it again this year, he will be No. 1 forever.</p>
<p>
Ray Rice sits at No. 3. And he could easily move to the No. 1 spot in all formats as he is the safest pick.</p>
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LeSean McCoy is ranked No. 4 by Athlon as our standard scoring system rewards half a point per reception. Have you watched the preseason? The Eagles' offensive line doesn't look any better, and McCoy is there to reap the rewards in the form of dump-off and check-down passes.</p>
<p>
Jamaal Charles sits at No. 5 as the news of Dexter McCluster getting some action in the backfield along with Thomas Jones, Le'Ron McClain, a below-average QB in Matt Cassel and a brutal schedule, leaves people nervous about Charles.</p>
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Then there's CJ.</p>
<p>
Word is that he will be more involved in the passing game this season, and if we knew that to be true he would be No. 4 in our rankings as a result. But he hasn't been in camp. Johnson hasn't practiced with new offensive coordinator Chris Palmer's playbook; he hasn't played with new QBs Matt Hasslebeck and Jake Locker.</p>
<p>
What he also has not done is anything at game speed. And this is where we come full circle from yesterday. Arian Foster and his <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/news/fantasy-football-arian-foster-tear-or-tweak" target="_blank">hamstring dominated the news</a>. Will it get worse? Is it a tweak? Is it a tear? Will Chris Johnson's hamstring be the next to dominate the news cycle?</p>
<p>
With veteran players and holdouts, new system or not, we are not as worried about how quickly they can learn, we are more worried about how healthy can they stay. There have been a few high-profile hamstring injuries in recent seasons after holdouts —&nbsp;New York Jets defensive back Darrelle Revis last season and Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant in 2008. Both were able to play the season, but they were injured nonetheless.</p>
<p>
This is the biggest worry about CJ right now. He seemingly always trains on his own in Orlando in the offseason, and the numbers that has produced the last three seasons aren't too shabby.</p>
<p>
If you are drafting today, tomorrow or even right up until the season kicks off a week from now, Chris Johnson is still a top-six RB pick. And monitor the news over the next week and see if he getting a lot of action in the passing game. Even if it's just a bit, I am moving him over Charles because Johnson has a clear path to all the carries (not too worried about Javon Ringer and Jamie Harper in the long run) and an easier schedule.</p>
<p class="rteright">
— Corby A. Yarbrough <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/AthlonCorby" target="_blank">@AthlonCorby</a> on Twitter</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-exclude-from-games field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Exclude From Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured-weight field-type-list-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">3</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-template field-type-list-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Two Right Sidebar Images</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomyextra field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Taxonomy upgrade extras:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/chris-johnson">Chris Johnson</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/lesean-mccoy">LeSean McCoy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/jamaal-charles">Jamaal Charles</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/ray-rice">Ray Rice</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/maurice-jones-drew">Maurice Jones-Drew</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/javon-ringer">Javon Ringer</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/arian-foster">Arian Foster</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/adrian-peterson">Adrian Peterson</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/joseph-addai">Joseph Addai</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/jamie-harper">Jamie Harper</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/delone-carter">Delone Carter</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/donald-brown">Donald Brown</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/section/nfl">NFL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/section/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/section/other-sports">News</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-teaser field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;br /&gt;
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-include-in-newsletter field-type-list-boolean field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0</div></div></div>Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:19:39 +0000Corby Yarbrough6343 at http://athlonsports.comFantasy Football: Breaking down the Tennessee Titanshttp://athlonsports.com/columns/winning-game-plan/fantasy-football-breaking-down-tennessee-titans
<div class="field field-name-field-column field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/columns/winning-game-plan">Winning Game Plan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-landing-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <meta charset="utf-8" />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>TENNESSEE</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px; "><strong>• Inside the Locker Room</strong></span><br />
With Nathan Rush of Athlon Sports</p>
<p>
<strong>Chris Johnson seemed skittish at the line of scrimmage last year. What changed from 2009 to ’10, and do you expect a return to fantasy dominance?</strong><br />
After scoring a 76-yard TD against the Raiders in the opener and then going the distance on an 85-yard romp (which was called back due to an away-from-the-play holding call) against the Steelers in Week 2, Johnson seemed to be looking for holes to hit home runs with, rather than just taking what the defense allowed. But who can blame him? In 2009, CJ2K scored on runs of 91, 89, 85, 57 and 52 yards, along with catch-and-runs of 69 and 66 yards. CJ is always one cut away from a foot race to the end zone. As long as he’s faster than everyone chasing him, CJ’s fantasy gold.</p>
<p>
<strong>Will Kenny Britt’s off-the-field issues impact his ability to become an elite fantasy receiver this season?</strong><br />
Britt is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in fantasy football this season. The 6'3", 215-pound 22-year-old was the top player in fantasy in Week 7 last year — seven catches, 225 yards, three TDs — but has yet to show the type of maturity or dedication necessary to take the next step.</p>
<p>
<strong>How much will the offense change under new coach Mike Munchak and offensive coordinator Chris Palmer?</strong><br />
The Titans have a new coach, but expect the same run-first philosophy. With Palmer calling plays, expect CJ to put up pass-catching numbers closer to his 2009 totals (503 yards and two TDs) than those of 2010 (245 yards and one TD).</p>
<p>
<strong><span style="font-size: 14px; ">• Fantasy Playoff Run —</span>&nbsp;Weeks 14-16:</strong>&nbsp;NO, <a href="http://twitter.com/IND">@IND</a>, JAC<br />
It's hard to say what this offense is going to be like come Weeks 14-15-16. All three opposing defenses were in the bottom half against fantasy RBs last season, including the Colts (24.5 ppg) and Jags (23.7 ppg), who were in the bottom eight. Good news for Chris Johnson. But we expect the Saints, with former Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams calling the defensive shots, to improve, and the other two are AFC South rivals.</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 14px; "><strong>• Athlon Best Bets</strong></span><br />
<strong>Sleeper:</strong>&nbsp;Jared Cook, TE<br />
<strong>Deep-Sleeper:</strong>&nbsp;Javon Ringer, RB<br />
<strong>Overvalued:&nbsp;</strong>Nate Washington, WR<br />
<strong>Top Rookie:&nbsp;</strong>Akeem Ayers, LB<br />
<strong>Bounce-Back:&nbsp;</strong>Derrick Morgan, DL<br />
<strong>Top IDP:</strong>&nbsp;Barrett Ruud, LB</p>
<p>
<strong><span style="font-size: 14px; ">• Try to Avoid</span><br />
WIDE RECEIVERS</strong><br />
Unrealized potential, lack of talent, off-the-field transgressions and a questionable quarterback situation make Tennessee’s receivers a tough sell for anyone looking for help in 2011. <br />
<strong>WAIT UNTIL: </strong>9th RD</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 14px; "><strong>• Draft Class Fantasy Impact</strong></span><br />
Vince Young failed to become Tennessee’s franchise quarterback, and the team will turn to Locker at some point in 2011. Locker needs to work on his accuracy but has all of the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. Locker should be one of the top keeper picks at quarterback but will likely hold no fantasy value in redraft leagues this season. Chris Johnson has threatened to hold out, which makes the addition of Harper even more valuable.</p>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><strong>More Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets and Rankings:</strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span style="font-size: 14px; "><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-top-280" target="_blank">2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 280</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-football-ranks-top-240-widps" target="_blank"><br />
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 240 w/ IDPs</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-qbs" target="_blank"><br />
2</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-qbs">011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks<br />
2</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire-report/2011-fantasy-ranks-rbs" target="_blank">011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-wrs" target="_blank"><br />
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-tes" target="_blank"><br />
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-kickers" target="_blank"><br />
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.athlonsports.com/columns/waiver-wire/2011-fantasy-ranks-defenses" target="_blank"><br />
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defense/Special Teams</a></span></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-exclude-from-games field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Exclude From Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured-weight field-type-list-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">3</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-template field-type-list-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Two Right Sidebar Images</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomyextra field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Taxonomy upgrade extras:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-teams/tennessee-titans">Tennessee Titans</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/chris-johnson">Chris Johnson</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/kenny-britt">Kenny Britt</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/matt-hasselbeck">Matt Hasselbeck</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/nfl-players/javon-ringer">Javon Ringer</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/nfl-players/nat-washington">Nat Washington</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/section/nfl">NFL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/section/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-teaser field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;br /&gt;
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-include-in-newsletter field-type-list-boolean field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0</div></div></div>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:26:49 +0000Athlon Sports5646 at http://athlonsports.com